Stephanie N. Grimoldby, Janine Pumilia, Peggy Werner
General Sales Manager Brent Hughes
Sales Manager Brad Hughes
Advertising Sales Representatives Brian Hughes, Jeremy Jones, Nita Lasky
Administration & Circulation Manager Lisa Hughes
Director of Corporate Happiness Hana Hughes
Distribution Kelly and Larry Fairbairn
Embracing Fall
Happy Fall, Smart Living readers! My millennial heart is bursting these days. Pumpkin Spice Lattes are back, and Parvati just won Australian Survivor (if you know, you know). I have a stack of memoirs to read and a promising fantasy football team to manage. Despite the constant state of tumult our world seems to be in… life still has its bright moments. Especially in the fall.
As the busy summer weekends start to quiet down, I feel more present and awake to my surroundings. The air is cooler, and the Rock River glows with hints of gold.
For me, this is the season of swapping packed calendars for simple moments. I enjoy (and encourage you to enjoy) a slow walk through Anderson Japanese Gardens while the trees turn fiery red. Grab a fresh cup of coffee at Meg’s Daily Grind or Rockford Roasting Company and enjoy it on the porch. Savor the unique places that make Rockford special.
As far as family rituals are concerned, we always enjoy stopping by Valley Orchard or Curran’s Orchard for warm cider donuts and a bag of crisp apples. My kids (ages 4 and 1) are enjoying these places more and more, and living these experiences through their eyes is one of the loveliest parts of being a parent.
And it’s not just about slowing down — it’s about soaking it in. Currently on my fall bucket list:
-Wandering through Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens and taking in the fall colors along the Sinnissippi bike path
-Visiting Rockford City Market before it wraps for the season
-Running a self-planned 5K through Klehm Arboretum (something my husband and I first did when we were dating)
I spend so much of the year moving fast, rushing from one thing to the next. Fall coaxes me to chill out a bit.
I hope that you can join me in enjoying all the wonderful seasonal activities our region has to offer! ❚
Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor
Of Human Value
In societies that tolerate slavery, human beings put prices on one another. This evokes a sense of outrage from those who don’t tolerate slavery, as well it should.
And yet in “more civilized” societies, humans still tend to regard some people as more valuable than others. People with great wealth, beauty or talent, for example, are often treated with greater deference than the poor and plain, even in our churches. And how easy it is to simply dismiss some folks as being “beyond help.”
This is the way of man, but it’s not the way of Jesus Christ, who taught his disciples to love people regardless of their social circumstances. “Love your neighbor as your self,” he instructed in Luke 10:27.
Listening to this was an expert in the law “who wanted to justify himself.” He asked: “And who is my neighbor?”
In reply, Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite [of priestly Hebrew lineage], when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan [Samarians were despised by Jewish leaders of that time period], as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:30-37)
And so must we, if we're to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. ❚
– Janine Pumilia
Autumn Arrives at Valley Orchard
By Peggy Werner
Just as some color starts to peak through the leaves on trees, area apple orchards open their doors for visitors to enjoy the fresh tastes, sights, sounds and smells of the fall season.
Valley Orchard, in Cherry Valley, is a 35-acre family-owned business with about 5,000 trees producing more than 30 apple varieties. Visitors have a choice of picking their own apples or purchasing pre-picked apples in the store.
The peak apple season is mid-September through October. The orchard also has a bakery, kids play area, props for photos, pumpkins and mums, and floral gardens.
“We introduce new apples and other items every year – it gives people a reason to keep coming back,” says Brandon Bergersen, who works at the orchard with his brother, Bret, and their parents, Raoul
and Jodie, who are the original owners of the orchard.
Some newer apple varieties available this season include Summerset, a crisp and sweet eating apple made from Honey Crisp with Fuji varieties. Ludacrisp, available in October, is a firm, crunchy apple. Rosalee is a firm, sweet and tart apple with a good shelf life. Sweet Zinger comes along at the end of September and is a yellow sweet apple good for eating and baking. In addition to new varieties, people look forward to their tried-andtrue favorites, Bergersen adds.
Also available to pick when in season are rhubarb, raspberries, blueberries, tart cherries and blackberries.
The orchard makes its own 100-percent-pure apple cider with no additives. Apple Cider Slushies are also available for purchase. The bakery sells apple cider
donuts, apple pie, apple-cinnamon bread, caramel apples and fudge, as well as a variety of jams and jellies, salsas, honey, squash, pumpkins, gourds and more. Fall decorations, linens, candles and home goods are also for sale.
The orchard is open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 10 a.m.6 p.m. Sunday. It closes for the season in mid-November. Tours of the orchard can be scheduled with a minimum of 10 people. ❚
For more information, go to Valley Orchard’s website, Facebook, Instagram or call (815) 332-9696.
SEPTEMBER 28TH
HEATHERS THE MUSICAL
OCTOBER 3 - 19 RDTH
HOLIDAY CRAFT BASH
OCTOBER 4TH
ELKHORN OKTOBERFEST
OCTOBER 18TH
hello, fall!
IceHogs Open New Season at BMO Center
By Jim Taylor, managing editor
The Rockford IceHogs kick off their 2025-26 season on Saturday, Oct. 11, with an opening night matchup against the Milwaukee Admirals at the BMO Center, 300 Elm St., Rockford. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. as the team begins its 27th season and 19th year as the Chicago Blackhawks’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.
“We’re in the live entertainment business,” says Ryan Snider, president of business operations for the Rockford IceHogs. “We have great hockey players, but even if a fan doesn’t look at the ice, we want them to have fun.”
The organization’s story took a thrilling turn on April 7, 2021, when the Blackhawks unveiled a $23 million, multi-year plan to upgrade the BMO Center. The plan secures the IceHogs’ home in Rockford through 2036.
The Blackhawks’ ownership brings advantages, both on and off the ice. Hardcore hockey fans can cheer on a team with a talent pipeline that shapes future National Hockey League (NHL) stars.
Casual fans enjoy top-tier entertainment at an affordable ticket price and amenities that aren’t a slapshot to the wallet.
“We strive to provide an environ-
ment where a family can afford a fun night out, whether it’s once a year or 36 times a year,” says Snider.
Phase one included an overhaul to the rink’s ice floor and an improved dehumidification system, improving the quality of the IceHogs’ ice surface.
“We’re developing the future stars of the Chicago Blackhawks,” says Snider.
The Rockford IceHogs’ opening match is set for Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. at the BMO Center, in Rockford.
“We want them to have the best opportunities to train and develop. The quality of the ice is a big part of that.”
Subsequent phases have focused on the fan experience, with a widened, streamlined main entrance, enhanced common areas, a grab-and-go concession stand that reduces lines, and a state-ofthe-art scoreboard that puts as much focus on the spectators as the on-ice action.
“We put a lot of money in what you see, touch and feel,” says Snider.
When the IceHogs kicked off the 2024-25 season, the BMO Center’s latest upgrade made the crowd plush – $1 million to replace and upgrade all 6,300 seats.
Snider points out an important feature that others might ironically miss: sightlines. When it comes to seeing the action, there isn’t a bad seat in the house. This allows the IceHogs to offer affordable lower-tier seating while also accommodating a premium experience in box seats and suites.
“One of the great things about the building is that it has a little bit of everything,” Snider says. “No matter what you want to pay and where you want to sit, you’re going to have a great view.”
The BMO Center’s new video board allows fans to get fully immersed in the game, turning them into bobbleheads on the Bobblehead Cam, inviting them to play an interactive intermission trivia game, or prompting them to get loud with several high-energy pump-up videos.
A particularly popular activity lets fans send selfies to the board via a QR code.
IceHogs fans aren’t the only ones to take notice of the revamped arena. In midJanuary, the AHL Board of Commissioners unanimously selected BMO Center to host the 2026 AHL All-Star Classic. It’s a decision that puts Rockford at center ice, drawing fans from across the country to experience the arena for themselves.
The success of the IceHogs in the AHL is driven by the talent of the players and the leadership of the coaching
staff. Snider hopes that, soon, fans will be treated to a deep playoff run and a chance to see the IceHogs hoist the Calder Cup – the AHL’s championship trophy. In the meantime, success for Snider is seeing the crowd on their feet, enjoying the experience.
“Our job is to create memories of that awesome night you had with your friends and family,” he says. “When we make that happen, it’s really fulfilling.” ❚ Tickets for the IceHogs’ 2025-26 season home games are available at icehogs.com.
The BMO Center’s $23 million upgrade enhances fan experience at IceHog games.
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Rockford Community Bank is a branch of St. Charles Bank & Trust Company, N.A. 1. Premier Checking Fees. $25 monthly maintenance fee – waived with either (i) average daily balance of $10,000, or (ii) combined average relationship balance of $75,000 per monthly statement cycle. Relationship balances include owned consumer checking, savings, money market, and certificate of deposit including retirement and MaxSafe® deposits held directly with the same charter bank. Fees may reduce earnings. 2. ATM Fees. No Wintrust Financial Corporation (‘WTFC’) transaction charge at ATMs in the Allpoint, ATM Access (Town Bank customers only), MoneyPass, or SUM networks. Banks outside the network may impose ATM surcharges. Surcharge fees assessed by owners of domestic ATMs outside the network will be reimbursed. Reimbursement excludes 1.10% International Service fee for certain foreign transactions conducted outside the continental U.S. 3.Bank Specialty Checks. Style & quantity restrictions apply. 4. Interest Rate Bonus. Must have a common account owner on both the Statement Savings Advanced account(s) and the Premier Checking account(s) with the same charter. Both accounts must remain open and maintain a common account owner to receive the interest rate bonus. Rate increase is effective the next business day after the second account is opened. 5. Premier Checking Bonus Information. Offer valid for accounts opened 2/1/2024 – 11/5/2025. Offer not available to existing or closed checking account customers of WTFC & its subsidiaries or employees, and Macatawa Bank locations. Limit 1 bonus payment per customer, regardless of number of accounts opened; may only be received from 1 WTFC location. Offer combinable with any WTFC savings offer. Bonus payment subject to IRS 1099-INT reporting & may be considered income for tax purposes. 6. Premier Checking Bonus Qualifications. (i) Open new Premier Checking account; (ii) mention offer during in-branch account opening, visit URL provided, or enter Echecking300 when applying online; (iii) have direct deposits totaling at least $500 per month made to the new account for 2 consecutive calendar months after the calendar month the new account was opened (‘Qualification Period’); & (iv) enroll in online banking & e-statements within the Qualification Period. Your account opening date is the business day that we open your account. If your account is opened on a non-business day (weekends and federal holidays), your account opening date is the next business day. Direct deposit is a payment made by a government agency, employer, or other third-party organization via electronic deposit, but does not include teller/ATM/mobile or remote deposits, wire transfers, digital banking/ telephone transfers between accounts at WTFC, external transfers from accounts at other financial institutions, peer-to-peer network payments like Zelle® or Venmo, or debit card transfers & deposits. New account must be open & have a balance greater than $0 to receive bonus payment. Balance determined as of end of each business day as funds currently in the account including deposits & withdrawals made in the business day. For eligible customers, bonus is deposited into the new account within 30 calendar days after the Qualification Period. A listing of WTFC locations can be found here: wintrust.com/locations. 7. Safe Deposit Boxes. Waived fee on
Stop Winter Damage Before It Starts
By Steven Bonifazi, assistant editor
It always starts small – a breeze under the door, a cold patch in the hallway or that strange whistle coming from the living room window.
When winter hits, those little annoyances can become big problems.
“We hear from a lot of homeowners after the damage has already started,” says Justin Swanson, owner of J.M. Construction Group LLC, 4915 Auburn St., in Rockford. “Shingles disappear, windows frost up and suddenly your attic isn’t holding heat.”
Many of winter’s worst problems share the same culprits: poor sealing, aging materials and skipped maintenance. The good news is that with a few smart steps, often in places homeowners overlook, you can head off the worst of it.
A roof in good condition keeps heat in and moisture out. When something’s off, winter weather has a way of
making it worse. To ensure your roof is ready for Old Man Winter, start with a basic inspection. From the ground, look for curling or missing shingles, sagging gutters, cracked caulk around vents or areas where debris is piling up. Swanson especially warns homeowners to check for “granular loss” – an indication that the gritty particles on your shingles are washing away.
“If you’re finding granules in your gutters or on your driveway, that’s a sign your shingles are aging,” he adds. “Once it wears down to the mat, you’re not far from a leak.”
Don’t forget the gutters. If they’re clogged, snowmelt has nowhere else to go, and it’s been known to pull gutters away from the house. In problem areas, Swanson recommends using heat tape, a heated wire that melts the snow before it builds up.
While there are plenty of hazards you can spot on your own, sometimes it’s good to have the seasoned eye of a professional. Swanson’s team helps homeowners stay ahead of problems with a seasonal maintenance package. The service includes roof and gutter inspections, with a promise to seal vulnerable spots and check the attic for leaks or ventilation problems.
“That kind of maintenance saves people from the big-ticket problems down the road,” Swanson says. “If you wait until something leaks, it’s already too late.” ❚
Partnership Aims to Open Roscoe Hospital
By Stephanie N. Grimoldby
When there’s a medical emergency, patients and first responders don’t care about state lines.
So, when people in northern Winnebago County experience an emergency, they go to Beloit Memorial Hospital.
“There is no local Illinois-based, 24-7 emergency room in Rockton, Roscoe or South Beloit,” says Dr. Roger Kapoor, senior vice president of Beloit Health System. “When you’re in an emergency, every second counts. We don’t feel it’s optimal for our patients to have to cross the border into Wisconsin to get their care.”
This July, Beloit Health System and Freeport-based FHN announced the creation of NorthPointe Health, a partnership between the two health systems to establish a 10-bed hospital and emergency room at the NorthPointe Health and Wellness Campus in Roscoe.
The partnership was formed after Beloit Health System’s initial application for a micro-hospital was denied in October 2024 by the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board (HFSRB). In part, the board cited an excess of hospital beds in the region, Kapoor says.
“FHN has a very rich history serving Illinois communities – close to a 125-year history,” Kapoor says. “They are, as part of our partnership, willing to transfer 10 Illinois licensed beds to this project, if it’s approved. Therefore, there would be no net increase in beds, and both independent health systems will remain independent.”
Both FHN and Beloit Health System representatives will present a more detailed application to the HFSRB on Sept. 25. A vote for a “certificate of need” will follow.
If the project is approved, construction could begin immediately, with an opening date in 2027. The total cost is expected to be $21.3 million, according to the HSFRB application.
“They’ve got a lot of the contractors lined up,” says Mark Gridley, president and CEO of FHN. “We’re just waiting for approval from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board. That’s the last step before we can move forward.”
The NorthPointe Health and Wellness Campus in Roscoe has been a staple for the stateline area for decades, so Beloit Health System is no stranger to local residents. The campus already houses a freestanding birth center, outpatient surgery center, assisted living facility, primary and specialty physician offices, and a medical-based fitness center.
The campus was designed for expansion, so adding a 10-bed hospital – with a 24-hour emergency department and one operating room – will help to save on costs, Kapoor says. The existing NorthPointe Immediate Care, for example, will become part of the emergency department.
“As part of the original NorthPointe design, there was the idea that at some point in the future, if the community demonstrated a need for it, the NorthPointe campus could accommodate this
future expansion into a neighborhood hospital. That was a longstanding vision for the NorthPointe campus,” says Timothy M. McKevett, president and CEO of Beloit Health System. “Parts of the building have the basic structural framework, and they’re already geared to easily set up 10 private suites, each with its own window overlooking the natural prairie we maintain.”
There’s also green space for a helicopter landing and ample space for an emergency room and ambulance garage, he says.
“At the NorthPointe facility, we already have services in place that you would expect a hospital to have,” Kapoor adds. “Laboratory services, imaging services, a pharmacy – these are things we are going to easily leverage to put up a neighborhood hospital. All of the utilities, the layout, is already there.”
For Gridley, the partnership between FHN and Beloit Health System shows a solid alignment in core values.
“We’ve talked about collaborating on potential projects in the past,” Gridley says. “But we were just far enough from each other that we didn’t land on anything that would make a huge impact for either of us. When we started talking about Roscoe, there’s a bit of an overlap there, so the NorthPointe conversation really started to make sense.”
At a public hearing this past summer, more than 90% of attendees were in support of the NorthPointe Neighborhood Hospital, Kapoor says. “We are really humbled by that overwhelming support. Fire departments, they have been showing up time and time again to voice their support. That is not manufactured support; that is organic, genuine support.”
“Any community that has the potential of increasing health care access or having more services locally, there’s going to be a favorable response,” Gridley says. “The first responders, local law enforcement and EMS and fire department, their transport times to a higher level of care will be much shorter. And there’s a sense of pride in having your own local facility.” ❚
Beloit Health System and FHN, of Freeport, are teaming up to pitch the NorthPointe Neighborhood Hospital to Illinois regulators. The plan would add 10 beds to the NorthPointe campus in Roscoe, Ill.
World War II Days
Sept. 27-28, Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Engage in elaborate 1940s displays in the historical museum’s 148-acre campus. Realistic battles complete with tanks, artillery, armored vehicles and pyrotechnic displays. Uniformed re-enactors represent soldiers. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.
Spirits & Spirits
Oct. 4, 4 p.m. Enjoy tastings of wine, whiskey or craft beer while listening to eerie ghost stories tied to the venue. Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronado. asmrockford.com.
Cider and Cinnamon Arts and Crafts
Oct. 4-5, Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. to 4 p.m. Items for sale include home and holiday decor, jewelry, bird houses, fine art, children’s clothing, pottery, natural dog treats, photography and more. Music provided by Fred & Ginger at 10:30 a.m., Trinadora at noon and Tom Mac at 2 p.m. Edgebrook Shops, 1639 N. Alpine Road, Rockford, (815) 226-0212, edgebrookshops.com.
Autumn on Parade
Oct. 5-6, daily 8 a.m.-4 p.m. This fall festival returns with more than 200 vendor booths and
numerous family-friendly activities. Highlights include a petting zoo, live music, an antique tractor show, and the Harvest Time Parade. Ogle County Courthouse Square, 115 N. 3rd St., Oregon, Ill., (815) 732-3465, autumnonparade.com.
Hometown Jams
Oct. 9, 7 p.m. Mickey Thomas made his mark in 1976 as lead vocalist on the mega-hit “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” with The Elvin Bishop Band. In 1979, he joined Jefferson Starship and went on to record three No. 1 hits. He’s joined by Foghat, best known for “Slow Ride.” Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 9650049, coronado.asmrockford.com.
Haunted Rockford Bus Tour
Oct. 11, 7-10 p.m. Climb aboard the luxury bus and listen to researched stories including ghastly crimes, suicides and ghostly encounters. Veterans Memorial Hall, 211 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 871-4239, hauntedrockford.com.
‘Wheel of Fortune’ Live!
Oct. 14, 7 p.m. Hosted by a celebrity guest, the stage production brings the excitement of the television game show to life, giving fans the chance to solve puzzles, win prizes and possibly become a future contestant. Audience members
Entertainment & Events
are randomly selected to spin the wheel and win big prizes. Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronado.asmrockford.com.
Serial Killers with Dr. Scott Bonn
Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m. The criminologist takes you inside the minds of the world’s most savage and prolific murderers. Coronado Theatre, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 968-5222, coronado. asmrockford.com.
